"A Call to Renewal: Encountering Christ on the Shore"

"A Call to Renewal: Encountering Christ on the Shore" 

Reflection on John 21:1-19 ( May 4, 2025 )

In John 21:1-19, we are witnesses to a profound encounter between the risen Christ and His disciples, one that takes place on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias. This passage, rich with symbolism, reveals the deep mercy of Christ and His desire to restore and commission His followers.

The scene opens with the disciples, still uncertain about their future after the death and resurrection of Jesus, going back to their former life as fishermen. Despite their efforts, they catch nothing throughout the night. In the morning, a figure appears on the shore and tells them to cast their nets one more time. When they follow this command, their nets are filled with fish—153 large fish, in fact. At that moment, the beloved disciple recognizes Jesus, and Peter, ever impetuous, jumps into the water to reach Him.

This scene speaks to us of the constant presence of Christ in our lives, especially when we feel lost or uncertain. The disciples’ failure to catch fish until they obeyed Jesus’s command mirrors our own struggles in life when we try to find meaning or fulfillment on our own terms, without listening to Christ's voice.

Once on the shore, Jesus invites them to share a meal—an intimate gesture that shows His continued care for them. Despite their failure, He doesn’t chastise them but instead provides for their needs, demonstrating the abundance of grace He offers. Jesus’s offering of bread and fish is a reminder of the Eucharist, where He invites us to receive Him as our sustenance and strength.

The most poignant part of this encounter, however, is when Jesus addresses Peter. Three times He asks Peter, “Do you love Me?”—a direct parallel to Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus before His crucifixion. Jesus’s repeated questions are not an accusation but a call to healing and restoration. With each affirmation of love, Peter is entrusted with the care of Jesus’s flock: “Feed My sheep.” Here, Christ commissions Peter to lead the Church, not because of Peter's perfection, but because of his love and willingness to be transformed by Christ's mercy.

This moment reminds us that no matter how far we may have fallen or how unworthy we may feel, Christ’s mercy is greater than our sin. His call to Peter, and to all of us, is not to dwell on past failures but to trust in His transformative love. He invites us to leave behind our insecurities and doubts, and, like Peter, to step forward in faith and follow Him.

Key Takeaway: 

Jesus meets us in our brokenness and calls us to renewal, not by our own strength, but through His grace and mercy. He invites us to love Him and serve His people, despite our imperfections, trusting that His love can transform us and empower us for the mission ahead.